GRANTH, the sacred "book" of the Sikhs (q.v.). It is a notable compilation of later Indian protestant writings, inculcat ing monotheism, yet not excluding praise of the goddess Durga (q.v.), denouncing caste privileges, concremation of widows and female infanticide, the use of hemp and alcohol (though the lat ter prohibition is disregarded), and any indulgence in tobacco. It consists of two parts, the Adi Granth or "Original Book," and the Dasam Padshqhi da Granth, or "Book of the Tenth Reign," i.e., of the loth Guru, Govind Singh. This latter is accepted by all Sikhs. Its difficulties of interpretation have hindered Sikh progress and expansion. Written in a special Sikh script (Gurmukhi) without separation of words in various dialects and even partly in Persian its earliest manuscripts have perished. It still awaits definitive exegesis.
See M. A. Macauliffe, The Sikh Religion; its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors, 6 vols. (Oxford, 19o9) ; Ernst Trumpp, The Adi Granth or Holy Scriptures of the Sikhs (London, 1877).